Need info on Ar 15 Ruger or Smith m&p2

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Wendyj

New member
My Lgs has the Ruger AR and the smith for $470.00. I had the Smith last year but traded out of it due to money needs. Got a little extra and want to pick one of the 2 up tomorrow. I used a Vortex strike eagle 1x6 on the Smith and factory ammo 1.5 to 2 inches scoped. I handloaded some Hornady 55 gr soft points and some 75 grain amax up with benchmark powder and 55s stayed moa while the 75 stayed around 1.5. Mine had 1-9 twist while the Ruger is a 1-8. Won’t be hunting anything with it but maybe some coyotes and going to mount a Burris Fullfieldii on it. Hate post is so long but really want to get the right one. I have 4-5 30 round mags and a 10 round. Would like to bang steel at longer ranges. Twist and trigger my biggest concerns. Any input would be appreciated.
 
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weblance

New member
Either is fine. Both will have a crappy Mil-spec trigger.

Ruger has been installing the Ruger Elite 452 trigger in the Ruger MPR. Its a MUCH better trigger than the Mil-Spec trigger the S&W or standard AR556 comes with. See if they have the Ruger MPR
 
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marine6680

New member
The MPR costs more though...

I would get the Smith over the Ruger, both are good rifles, but the Smith has a few bullet points that the Ruger doesn't. If the price is similar, that's the way I would go.
 
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hdwhit

New member
For most practical purposes, I think most people regard them as interchangeable.

Some people don't like that the Ruger has some proprietary parts, but like the 1:8 twist. Others refer the Smith because it uses all standard parts but has a 1:9 twist which won't stabilize the heaviest (i.e 77 and 80 grain) bullets.

See: http://info.stagarms.com/blog/bid/371861/How-Barrel-Twist-Rate-Affects-Ammunition-Choice

In my case, the first time I went looking for an AR, the choice was between Ruger and Smith. The gun store had the Smith in stock, not the Ruger, so I got the Smith. When I went looking for a second AR for my younger son, Gander Mountain had the Smith on sale for $100 less than the Ruger, so I bought a Smith again. If the prices or availability had been reversed, I'd have added some AR556s to my collection of Mini-14s.
 
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Wendyj

New member
Is weight factor any different? I keep reading something about I shrouded firing pin in Ruger. Some say a problem. Some not. I did read that sight only has one aperture on the Ruger. I would use it scoped with a quick detach base and open sights also.
 
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Duke of Lawn Chair

New member
If the Ruger uses non milspec parts I would opt for the Smith. Twist rate isn't going to be a factor unless you're shooting the National Matches. The reason it's still seems like an issue is in the old days the 1/12 was standard for light ammo. 1/9 is a good over all rate.
 
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marine6680

New member
1/9 twist will work very well for most people's needs... Most people are not shooting but 55gr or 62gr... And most 1/9 16in barrels will stabilize the 69gr stuff too.
 
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Big Shrek

New member
I snagged a S&W M&P Sport II for $379, made my Christmas :D

Helps to be right there when a deal pops up...also helps to be
known as a good buyer by Management ;)

When I hear Proprietary, I think of the old Hewlett Packard computers...
which had to have their OWN stuff, nothing else fit...that's ok if you
don't want to tinker with it, but if you wanna upgrade, yer screwed.
So even with a lower price, I'd pass on a Ruger AR556.
 
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weblance

New member
The Ruger is an AR-15. Its not a rifle that has mysterious parts inside. Its an AR-15. Everybody makes a big deal that its not Mil-Spec. The areas where its not Mil-Spec are so minor, its laughable.

Lets list them.

!. It doesn't have a Mil-Spec Delta ring. It uses one that unscrews instead of pulls back against spring pressure. No bid deal, but yes... Not Mil-Spec.

2. It uses an unshrouded firing pin. This is the area of the bolt carrier group where the hammer gets recocked under recoil. Why did Ruger choose to do this? No one really knows, and it could become an issue after many thousands of rounds. If it bothers you, swap Bolt Carriers, or when it gets worn, contact Ruger, and they will replace it free of charge.

That's it. Those are the two areas where its not Mil-Spec.

Comparing the Smith to the Ruger, the Smith uses a Magpul rear sight which has two apertures, the Ruger uses a similar rear sight that has one aperture. The advantage goes to Smith on that one. The other advantage the Smith has, is a nitride treated barrel. The Ruger uses an untreated barrel. The untreated Ruger barrel could have an advantage in accuracy, the Smith barrel will have an advantage in a longer service life.

The Ruger has a nicer grip, and an oversize trigger guard. The Smith uses a standard grip, and trigger guard. The advantage goes to Ruger there. The Ruger has a billet front sight/gas block, with a quick detach swivel mount. The Smith uses a standard gas block/front sight. Advantage to Ruger.

The Ruger will accept any aftermarket part made for an AR-15. IT IS NOT the same as the comparison to an old HP computer.

Ruger has excellent customer service, should you ever need it. Smith has customer service, but its not as efficient as Ruger
 
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SDF880

New member
I picked the SW2 up Friday and tore it down, clean and inspect and for the money 490 bucks I think that is a heck of a rifle!
 
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marine6680

New member
Overall... I think the Smith has more boxes checked than the Ruger... Not that the Ruger is bad.


The Smith uses a nitride treated barrel... Nitriding does not affect the bore, so it does not affect accuracy. So, everything being equal, it gives up no accuracy, but gains longevity.

The shrouded firing pin help prevent the firing pin from breaking. That was the main problem of not having the firing pin shrouded. The firing pin takes a lot of force when the action cycles when it is not shrouded, this leads to breakage during use.

The proprietary parts on the Ruger are not a concern of mine, they are few in number, minor overall, and useful. They could be replaced if desired.

The smith does have an enlarged trigger guard... its built in, so if you wanted a custom one, then thats a no go. It looks big enough to be useful when wearing gloves.


Overall... they both significantly differ from milspec... and by that... I mean they are below the spec, not better than.


They are entry level rifles. They are not meant to endure harsh training let alone a battlefield...

That isn't to say that they are bad... They could easily be used in a home defense role, and work well at that role. Reliability is the key there.

I would step up to an basic configuration mid length AR from Aero Precision... As those are built well... Close to mil spec. The only difference is really the BCG and barrel are nitride treated. Which isn't really a problem, or even a step down from mil spec.

Might cost about $100 more though... But I think it is likely the best AR in the $600 and under price range right now. Definitely a step up from both the Ruger and Smith...

Unfortunately, if you are wanting to only get one local, most do not have them. You would need to order one online.
 
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LilHog

New member
S&W M&P sport II gets my vote. Go to the store and hold and fondle both and see which one you like best. I did just that and walked out with the sport II.
 
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Mobuck

Moderator
If I were picking a "starter AR", I'd choose a mid-length gassed 16" (w/o the dumb arse M-4 cut) built with entirely "common to the platform" parts. In the long run, this is a better launch pad for whatever use(s) one might find.
In my experience, 200-300 yards isn't "long range" for a decent 16" AR. Over 300 yards is questionable for uses other than informal target shooting-too much velocity loss from the short barrel.
 
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Wendyj

New member
Guess there was so much starter information I gave up on entry level and am going to go with the FNH Patrol. carbine with 1-7 twist. Double the price but shouldn't have to upgrade anything later. Not looking for home defense as shotgun and handguns will suffice. Hoping 1100 with 6 mags is decent price. It's used but has a Timney trigger in it and came with decent case.
 
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Big Shrek

New member
Wendyj said:
Guess there was so much starter information I gave up on entry level and am going to go with the FNH Patrol. carbine with 1-7 twist. Double the price but shouldn't have to upgrade anything later. Not looking for home defense as shotgun and handguns will suffice. Hoping 1100 with 6 mags is decent price. It's used but has a Timney trigger in it and came with decent case.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a Party!
Look forward to seeing you post some pics of it!
 
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